Industrial building model



May 17, 1960 H. J. BOWEN INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MODEL Filed Oct. 17, 1958 2,936,530 INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MODEL Hardy J. Bowen, Wilmington, Del.

Application October 17, 1958, Serial No. 767,943 2 Claims. (Cl. 35-16) This invention relates to industrial scale models and, more particularly, to three dimensional miniature models for representing the framework and plant layout in in dustrial buildings.

While the use of industrial miniature models for representing buildings and layouts is generally known, such models have the outstanding disadvantage of not being sufiiciently flexible or readily adjustable to allow easy extension of walls in breadth as well as width, so as to make it possible to quickly enlarge a room or section of a building when it appears desirable or to build different sized buildings, rooms, floor heights etc.

Uni s ates P Another disadvantage of conventional industrial models is that they involve numerous diiferent and complicated parts for assembly which increase the cost as well as the complexity of the models.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel industrial miniature model which is devoid of the above-named disadvantages, which is extremely flexible in construction and which permits easy and quick adjustability in the length of floor beams or vertical columns represented by the model.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel miniature bracket which is selectively useable either in side walls, corners or within the interior of a building to represent different framework combinations or assemblies found in these localities and which is also adjustable in height, thus requiring a minimum number of different parts for erecting the framework of the industrial model.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from a study of the following description taken with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a bracket of miniature size embodying the principles of the present invention; and

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a portion of the framework of an industrial miniature model and incorporating the bracket shown in Fig. 1 at two different 10- cations.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawing, numeral 1 denotes a bracket of any suitable material, preferably a light plastic material, which bracket has four integral, outwardly extending arms 2, 3, 4 and 5 forming substantially a cruciform construction. The bracket is molded with a central, square-shaped or rectangular shaped hole 6 which is adapted to closely fit about a vertical column 3 of corresponding cross section (shown in Fig. 2). After loosening set screw 7, the bracket 1 is adjusted to the desired height on the vertical column 8 and is then held fast on column 8 by tightening the set screw.

Arms 2, 3, 4 and 5 are provided with top curved portions 2a, 3a, 4a, and 5a, respectively. These arms have downwardly and outwardly tapered sidewalls 2b, 3b, 4b, and 5b, respectively, forming a substantially wedge-like cross section. A suitable taper is about a 2 degree taper. While bracket 1 may be made of any suitable small size, a desirable size is about /2 inch high with the central 2,936,530 Patented May 17, 1960 or square shaped portion of bracket 1 about /2 an inch on each side and the various arms, about. 1% inch long.

As shown in Fig. 2, the brackets 1 may be used in different portions of the industrial, three dimensional scale model for the building. For example, they may be placed on all the various vertical columns of the framework of the building.

The framework is only partially shown. Assuming that the left lower portion Fig. 2 is to represent the outside of the building, it will then be necessary to break 01f arm 5 at the intersection 50 with bracket 1, which intersection may be scored or provided with a groove about .015 inch wide and .008 inch deep to provide a weakened joint to facilitate breakage thereat, when desired. The grooving enables a clean break or smooth broken surface. If, instead, the bracket is to represent a corner of a building, then two arms would be broken oif, such as 5 and 4 inasmuch as only two beams at right angles would be supported by the bracket. However, if the bracket is to be used on an interior column, such as shown in the upper right end portion of Fig. 2, then all four arms are retained so as to support the four connecting horizontal beams 9 and 10 in the manner shown.

The lower ends of columns 8 are slipfitted into and supported on pedestals 11 which are secured by screws, nails or other suitable fastening elements 12 to a floor board or base plate.

Another important feature of the invention resides in the manner that selective portions of the length of arms 2, 3, 4 and 5 are detachably secured to the various horizontal floor beams, such as 9 and 10. Floor beams 9 and 10 are likewise of plastic material and have cross sections of the shape of an inverted U, as shown, with slightly downwardly and outwardly tapered sidewalls corresponding to the taper of the sidewalls of arms 2, 3, 4 and 5. By selectively clamping the end portions of beams 9 and 10 so as to cover different lengths of the various arms 2, 3, 4 and 5, any desired spacing between the extreme end of the beams and hub portion of the brackets 1 may be obtained to permit adjustment in length of the horizontal beams. The end portions of the beams may be selectively clamped at any desirable distance from the hub of bracket l by virtue of the springiness of the arms of the U-shaped cross section of the beam as well as the taper thereof, providing wedging action which securely holds these parts together. In some instances, if it is desired to obtain greater security, substantially U-shaped spring metal clips (not shown) may be inserted and clamped underneath the joined portion of beam 10 so that the leg portions of the clips will extend upwardly and snugly surround the sides of the beam.

Score lines may be provided at regular intervals on beams 9 and 10 to denote distances in feet, or such lines may be grooves to facilitate breaking off the beams at intermediate points, if desired or for both purposes.

Thus, beams 9 and 10 may be adjusted in length either by breaking oif a portion, or better still, by merely attaching the end portion so as to straddle selective lengths of the arms of the brackets, thereby enabling extension or shortening of the length or width of the building, or of certain rooms thereof, by the simple expediency of changing the position of the end portion of the beams on the arms. Secondary beams 10 rest on the ledge of primary beams 9.

Thus it will be seen that the present invention provides efiicient relatively simple and inexpensive units for making industrial, three-dimensional models, which units enable easy and quick adjustment in the length or width of the beams as well as their height; furthermore, the present invention provides a novel bracket which is selectively useable either for sides, corners, or central portions of the building by the mere breaking oif one or two arms thereof, which beams are in the efiect clamps for providing easy and quick connections to horizontal beams to allow selective adjustment of the length of the beams and of rooms represented thereby.

While I have illustrated and described a single specific embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that this is by way of illustration only, and that various changes 2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said arms are downwardly and outwardly tapered in cross-section and wherein said beams have web portions forming arms of said U which are correspondingly tapered so as to provide tight clamping engagement with selective portions of the extremities of said arms and thus provide adjustment of the length of the floorbeams represented by said beams and joined arms taken together.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,092,217

Hopkins Apr. 7, 1914 2,840,924 Willis July 1, 1948 2,844,910 Korchak July 29, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,069,155 France 'Feb. 10, 1954 323,234 Great Britain Dec. 27, 1929 

